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Copyright, 1910, by Peter Henderson & Co., New York. 



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A VISIT TO THE HOMELAND 

OF 

WASHINGTON'S ANCESTORS 



With compliments of 

Peter Henderson &- Co. 

35 and 37 Cortlandt Street, New York 



A VISIT TO THE HOMELAND OF WASHINGTON'S ANCESTORS 



^\ 



IN our world wide wanderings to keep in touch 
with the best and newest in plant life produc- 
tion, we often find ourselves unusually environed, 
sometimes pleasantly, sometimes otherwise. 
We recall an experience not many years ago when 
Asia Minor flower bulbs were becoming known; 
the large and beautiful Snowdrops, Chinodoxas, 
Colchicums, etc., of various Taurus Mountain 
types, we wanted to investigate these in their 
natural haunts, but the route was so infested 
with brigands that our Consul advised against 
travelling unprotected and secured for us a 
guard of Turkish Soldiers. Nothing happened, 
but it was an unusual experience that would have 
been pleasant if anxiety could have been elimi- 
nated. Many other little episodes of our travels 
could be related that might make interesting 
reading. 

Perhaps our most interesting and pleasant 
trip was made last season when we visited 
England particularly to study the latest- 
varieties of the magnificent new race of " Spen- 
cer " Sweet Peas. The officers of the National 
Sweet Pea Society gave us a cordial reception 
and honored us with an appointment as judge at 
their big exhibition held in Royal Horticultural 
Hall, London and a Vice-president of their 



Society. We were given every opportunity to 
study the numerous varieties of Sweet Peas in 
commerce and many others not yet introduced, 
all being well grown and in fine flower at their 
official trial grounds near Reading, England. 

At the exhibition we met Mr. Silas Cole with 
whom the first of the " Spencer " type Sweet 
Pea originated and made an appointment to 
visit him at Althorp Gardens on the Estate of 
Earl Spencer in Northamptonshire, of which 
Mr. Cole is superintendent. While there we 
discovered that we were in the homeland of 
Washington's ancestors. The coincidence was 
so impressive, we tarried a day or two longer 
getting a few photographs and collecting a little 
Washington information amid the scenes and 
environment of the forefathers of America's 
father. Some of which we publish herewith as 
found, without attempt at verification. 

Northamptonshire is a midland county in 
"'what is called "The Heart of England." It is 
particularly interesting to Americans because 
several personages prominently identified with 
our Republic in its early days, were descendants 
of midland ancestors. It is one of the most 
beautiful sections in England. 

Our motor trips impressed us with the charm 



A VISIT TO THE HOMELAND OF WASHINGTON'S ANCESTORS 



of this rich pastoral country. Broad, hard, well 
kept highways wind over low rolling hills afford- 
ing a succession of picturesque views. Valley- 
meadows of sunny green, are populous with fat 
cattle, sleek horses and prize sheep grazing or 
lolling among elm, oak and other stately trees 
which dot the landscape An occasional shepherd 
with his chum — a collie — and a field of yellow- 
ing grain being harvested by sturdy yoemen 
adds an old world touch to the picture. Lordly 
trees line the roadside and cast grateful shade. 
Hedgerows of luxuriant green brightened by wild 
flowers and alive with song birds also border 
the roadways and divide the fields, blending 
distantly into dark copses and a mass of varied 
sylvan beauty, which almost hides from view 
quaint, substantial, typically English houses, 
though the towering spires of churches, for which 
this " shire " is famous punctuate the skyline 
here and there and compose pleasingly into the 
panorama. 

One can scarcely realize that this earthly 
paradise, apparently blessed with all things that 
go to make life worth living; peaceful, bountiful, 
beautiful, was for centuries a scene of turmoil and 
strife, the disturbing factors being covetousness 
and religious fervor. There are evidences here 



of life and war even before history was recorded. 
Diggings for various purposes having unearthed 
numerous weapons and implements. Stone and 
bone articles, hand made pottery, querns for 
grinding grain, portions of primitive looms, etc. 
as well as bones of various animals and man of 
the roundheaded, strong jawed race (brachy- 
cephalic) which according to archaeologists belong 
to the pre-historic iron or Celtic age. For 
hundreds of years thereafter, following the data 
of recorded history, we learn that this country was 
intermittently over run with foreign adventurers. 
Various Teutonic (German) tribes apparently 
started the wave of invasions. Jutes from what 
is now a section of Denmark conquered and con- 
trolled this portion of Britain for many years. 
Then came the Angles from North Holland — 
from whom England derives its name (Latin 
Anglia, A. S. Engla-land). Soon after Saxons 
from Germany arrived in large numbers. These 
peoples, all long heads (dolichocephalic) after 
years of conflict fused in the common cause of 
opposing the Norman and Roman invaders. 
They were then termed Anglo-Saxons which 
name this collective race of long headed man 
has ever since borne. These long headed 
Anglo-Saxons, though subdued and dominated 



A VISIT TO THE HOMELAND OF WASHINGTON'S ANCESTORS 



for about two centuries first by the Normans and 
then by the Romans eventually won out, threw 
off the yoke and have ever since been known as 
the " all conquering race." Long contact, 
however, with various continental peoples of 
differing religious faiths caused much discussion 
and warmth of argument, and when the inven- 
tion of printing enabled the bible to be more 
widely read the spirit of controversy became more 
acute and aroused much bitterness of feeling, 
differences of opinion often disrupting families. 
We will not go further into ecclesiastical details, 
merely touching upon this matter because this 
section of England was one of the hotbeds of 
religious foment and at a time when we have our 
earliest knowledge of George Washington's 
ancestors. The intolerance of the period having 
much to do with the immigration to America 
of many families from this section who helped 
shape the destinies of young America and 
have left the impress of their character with 
us. 

The Washington pedigree is too long to be gone 
into chronologically here, but it is interesting to 
know that our first accurate knowledge of the 
family begins in the 11th Century, when it 
appears not unusual for a family to assume the 



name of the estate acquired for a William de 
Hertburn during that period moved into the 
manor and village of Wessynton, the family then 
being known as the De Wessyngtons. One 
genealogist goes back of this stating the family 
descended from the hero King Odin of Scan- 
dinavia. This may be imaginative but consider- 
ing the early settlement of this portion of England 
by Northern Teutons it is quite possible. 

The next Washingtons that we know of were 
the John Washingtons of Lancashire, grand- 
father and grandson in the 14th Century, they 
were of the good sound yoeman stock that has 
played so large a part in the making of England 
and all in the world that bears the stamp of 
English genius and character. From these de- 
scended a Lawrence (Laurence) Washington, who 
was elected mayor of Northampton in 1532 and 
again in 1545. He appears to have been one of 
the brightest, most prosperous and influential 
of the English Washingtons. His mother was 
Margaret Kitson (Kytson) a sister of Sir Thomas 
Kitson, a princely merchant, whose daughter 
married Sir John Spencer. Lawrence Wash- 
ington was therefore related to the Kitsons and 
connected by marriage to the Spencers — two of 
the richest and most prominent families in this 



A VISIT TO THE HOMELAND OF WASHINGTON'S ANCESTORS 



Section of England. Sheep farming and wool 
was the important industry of Northamptonshire 
during this period. The Spencers had immense 
flocks — tradition placing the number of sheep 
near 20,000. Lawrence Washington dealt in 
fleeces which were sold to the manufacturing 
centres in England and exported to Flanders — 
the wool market of England. He became rich 
so rapidly that between his terms of Mayorality 
he purchased the Sulgrave estate and after- 
wards other properties which were thrown on 
the market by the disruption of the monasteries. 
His powerful " friend at Court " Sir John Spencer 
and Dr. Layton, then rector of Brington and one 
of Cromwell's commissioners for the dissolution 
of Monasteries — no doubt removed any difficulties 
in his obtaining a grant of the alienated lands of 
the Priory of St. Andrew. Thus he raised him- 
self from the rank of tradesman to that of a 
wealthy squire in this " shire of spires and 
squires." 

We dwell upon this branch of the Washington 
family because thi^ Lawrence was the direct 
ancestor of our George Washington, he raised a 
large family, his sons and many of his male 
descendants became men of note — one a member 
of parliament, another was knighted, etc. For 



some unexplained reason, probably pecuniary, 
the Sulgrave properties eventually passed from 
possession of the Washingtons and they appear 
to have been for a time in troubled circumstances. 
At this crisis the steadfast friendship and patron- 
age of the Spencers served them well. The 
original Spencer manor house at Wormleighton 
was placed at the disposal of Robert and 
Lawrence Washington (grandsons of the Mayor) 
for a season until a house could be built for them 
at Brington the village entrance to the Althorp 
estate of the Spencers. Their history while at 
Brington seems somewhat obscure, but Robert, 
grandson of the mayor, died without issue in 
L622. A tablet to his memory is still to be seen 
at Brington Church showing the true Washington 
Coat of Arms from which the Stars and Stripes 
are supposed to have originated. Lawrence 
Washington the other brother raised a large 
family, three of his sons attaining distinction, 
the first became Sir William Washington and 
married the sister of the Duke of Buckingham. 
The second became Sir John Washington and 
the third Reverend Lawrence Washington who 
suffered for his loyalty to the Royal cause, his son 
John emigrated to America in 1657 and became 
the grandfather of General George Washington. 




SULGRAVE MANOR. The manor house was built by Lawrence Washington, Mayor of Northampton ; 
ancestor of our George Washington. The picture shows the house as it now appears probably only ; 



id direct 
portion 



J 







A STREET IN BRINGTON. The home village c 
Althorp Park, the home of the Spencers wl 



orations of Washingtons and the village entrance to 
ich friends and patrons of the Washingtons. 10 




INTERIOR OF BRINGTON CHURCH. In which are entombed the bodies of Mayor Washington's grand sons, 
Robert and Lawrence, their wives and many members of the Spencer family. 




THE SLAB COVERED TOMBS of Robert and Lawrence Washington in Brington Church. Their coats of arms are 
stone. That of Lawrence is impaled with the Butlers (his wifes' family). 
Our " Stars and Stripes "originated from the Washington Coat of Ar 



.4 VISIT TO THE HOMELAND OF WASHINGTON'S ANCESTORS 



LOCATIONS OF THE ENGLISH ANCESTORAL HOMES OF SEVERAL MEN HONORED 
FOR THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH YOUNG AMERICA. 



It is a unique fact that " The Heart of Eng- 
land " Northamptonshire and contiguous terri- 
tory was the ancestral homeland of several men 
prominently identified in shaping the early des- 
tinies of the American Republic. The stamp 
of their character and genius still remain with 
us. 

At (1) SULGRAVE, (2) NORTHAMPTON 
(3) BRINGTON lived the ancestors of George 
Washington, whose story we have just told. 

(4) ECTON, was the home of Benjamin 
Franklin's ancestors. (Chaucer puts it " Franke- 
lein "). They were Protestants and strong in 
their views and hostility to the ancient faith 
so had to conceal their Bible, reading it only 
with a child stationed to give notice if he saw 
the " Apparitor ," an officer of the Spiritual 
Court, approaching. 

(5) PENN. William Penn was a direct de- 
scendent of the Penns of Penn who acquired the 
manorial rights from the Berkeleys their feudal 
associates. Win. Penn's strong Quaker views 
caused him to be expelled from Oxford University 



and so persecuted for his faith that he came to 
America. 

(6) CHESTERFIELD. The grandfather of 
Thomasjefferson author of the American Declara- 
tion of Independence owned a small property 
and resided here. 

(7) STANDISH. The ancestors of Miles Stand- 
ish took the patronymic name of this village their 
home. The family became divided by the great 
controversy between the Catholics and Prot- 
estants. Miles in the " faith and fury of his 
convictions " joined in the fight against the 
Spaniards in Holland and became a soldier to 
the finger tips, coming to the point with the rush 
of a thunderbolt. After the truce he became 
associated with the Puritans and came to America 
where his valor was again put to the test by three 
traitorous Indians whom he got into a room by 
themselves and then slew the lot. 

(S) SCROOBY, was the home town of Wm. 
Brewster one of the chief founders of the Ply- 
mouth Colony and Wm. Bradford afterwards 
its governor. Both were converted to the serious 



18 



A VISIT TO THE HOMELAND OF WASHINGTON'S ANCESTORS 



views of religion then spreading especially in the 
midlands of England. Brewster organized the 
Plymouth Church, but persecutions left but few 
adherents who had the courage of their convic- 
tions and these had to attend service in secret. 
This group finally endeavored to remove to 
Holland, but the Dutch Captain with whom they 
had arranged to embark from the port of Boston, 
40 miles from Scrooby, is supposed to have turned 
informer for the Pilgrims were captured, their 
effects taken from them and they were rendered 
destitute some being imprisoned. Such treat- 
ment rankled so they eventually reached 
America. 

(9) WILLOUGHBY. Captain John Smith of 
Pocahontas fame was born here. He joined a 
Protestant Company in France to fight the 
Spaniards and afterwards was one of the 100 
members in the expedition resulting in the found- 
ing of the Jamestown Colony in Virginia, out of 
this number 54 belonged to the rank of gentle- 
men. 

(10) SUDBURY. John Winthrop the first 
governor of the Colony of Massachusetts was born 
at Groton Manor 5 miles east , of this town. 
Adam Winthrop a substantial clothier of London 
his ancestor obtained the Estate by Royal Grant. 



It formerly belonged to the Abbots of Bury 
"St. Edmunds." The depth of feeling and im- 
pending crisis in political and religious circles 
caused John Winthrop to sail for the new world 
with 11 ships and a large number of emigrants. 
They arrived in Salem, Mass. 

(11) LONDON. Roger Williams the founder 
of the Providence (R. I.) Colony was born here. 
He was also considerably affected with " the- 
ologitis ". 

Though not in contiguous territory to the 
English midlands it is interesting to know the 
English Ancestral locations of the following 
notables : 

(12) WIGCASTLE. The Hawthorns resided 
here. William Hawthorn of witchcraft fame and 
Nathaniel the poet were descendants. 

(13) HAYS BARTON. ' Sir Walter Raleigh 
(Ralegh) favorite courtier of Queen Elizabeth 
was born here. He was evidently a handsome 
brilliant fellow, fond of the sea and exploration. 
Most expeditions conceived by him, however, 
including his efforts to found a Colony in Vir- 
ginia or Carolina proved abortive because it is 
said he was unable to lead them personally, his 
presence at court being desired by the Virgin 
Queen. Though eventually beheaded by the 



A VISIT TO THE HOMELAXD OF WASHIXGTOX'S AXCESTORS 



19 



succeeding regime he is remembered by all who 
eat potatoes and use tobacco as their discoverer 
and introducer. 

(14) DEVONSHIRE. Henry Adams, the 
forefather of John Adams who succeeded General 



George Washington as president lived in this 
South England County, but broke up his home 
and sailed to America to be rid of the religious 
persecution that was then making England 
intolerable. 



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&&, Martha -Washington 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS M 

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